Chapter 10 · She does

"She does."

Nyx's gaze cut toward him. "Don't answer for me."

"Can you break the locks?"

"Maybe."

"Do it."

"He has my core open in sixty seconds."

"Then do it in fifty."

The surgeon raised the blue-edged tool. "Enough. I start now."

Kael jerked against the chest restraint. "Touch her and I'll make sure the Empire finds you alive."

"Big words from a man who signed away his authority."

"I signed nothing that gives you the right to hurt her."

"The contract does."

Nyx's head snapped toward the surgeon. "Read the whole clause."

He paused.

Kael noticed. "What clause?"

"Nyx."

"Read it," she said. "Or I shut down the life support in this room."

The surgeon scoffed. "You can't access the clinic grid from that shell."

"Try me."

The lights flickered.

The surgeon's hand stopped above her chest.

Nyx smiled without warmth. "You made the mistake of connecting your operating table to your security system."

Kael looked at her. "Can you open the restraints?"

"Not while the scanner is watching."

"Blind it."

"And give the people outside a reason to cut through the wall?"

"They're already cutting through the wall."

A heavy impact shook the room.